Action Empowers, a program of Action Ministries with funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), serves eligible individuals and families who are homeless in Newton, Morgan, Baldwin and Putnam counties using the Rapid Re-housing model. Rapid Re-housing reduces homelessness by supplying housing and providing wraparound support services to applicants within 30 days of application approval.

Action Serves, an Action Ministries program with funding from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), serves eligible veterans and their families in Henry, Rockdale and Newton counties to prevent or end episodes of homelessness as quickly as possible. Through the program, each veteran is paired with a case manager whose task is to ensure stable housing for the veteran and his or her family, supported by short-term rental assistance, within 30 days of first contact.

Action Ministries’ Housing programs are 75 percent funded by government sources, while the remaining funding is raised locally to serve individuals and families in six counties of the Piedmont region. The Piedmont region of Action Ministries was established in 2015 thanks to gifts from two founding churches, Alcovy and Mt. Pleasant United Methodist churches.

“We are pleased to be able to offer housing solutions to people who need them in our area,” said Tamara Richardson, regional director, Action Ministries Piedmont. “We are partnering with local people and businesses, like Newton Federal Bank, to support our families who are transitioning out of homelessness into a stable, secure housing situation. That kind of support from the community makes it possible for people to turn the page in the stories of their lives.”

Potential applicants to Action Empowers or Action Serves should contact the housing intake line at 404-881-1991 ext. 5608 or 888-206-7372 to determine their eligibility. To find out how a company, civic organization or congregation can partner with Action Ministries Piedmont to lead people out of poverty, contact Tamara Richardson, Action Ministries, at 678-280-4161 or trichardson@actionministries.net.